The Vaishyas are the third-lowest caste in the modern-day Indian caste system. They were historically defined as the “engine” of the caste system and traditionally occupy merchant and trader roles in society.
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The timeline below shows where the term Vaishya appears in Caste. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Pillar Number One: Divine Will and the Laws of Nature
...the Brahmin, the highest caste, from his mouth; the Kshatriya (warriors) from his arms; the Vaishya (merchants and traders) from his thighs, and the Shudra (servants) from his feet. The Untouchables...
(full context)